Cole Gillespie Comes (A Little) Closer to Home

If you like seeing ex-Beavers play on this side of the Continental Divide, then I've got good news for you: word has it that former OSU standout and current Milwaukee Brewers prospect Cole Gillespie has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for second baseman Felipe Lopez. Here is what the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reported of the deal:

The Diamondbacks received Triple-A outfielder Cole Gillespie and Class A right-hander Roque Mercedes for Lopez, who hit .301 in 85 games after signing as a free agent in the off-season.

"Obviously, with where we are in the standings, you have to consider trades like this," Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes said. "Felipe played really well for us and fit in well, especially with the younger players. The reality is he's a free agent at the end of the year, and (the trade) brought back two guys who we think have some long-term value to us in Gillespie and Mercedes."

Gillespie, 25, is a career .281 hitter in parts of four seasons in the minors, although he is hitting just .242 with seven home runs this season for Triple-A Nashville in 236 at-bats.

I wrote about Gillespie when he and his Nashville Sounds were in Portland to face the Beavers earlier this year. While I still doubt his major-league prospects, this move--which sends him from a playoff contender to a franchise in rebuilding mode--should give him a better chance of seeing big-league time (though whether that chance will come this season or next is another matter). Maybe a Dbacks fan out there can tell us what the team's OF situation looks like heading into the future. In any case, best of luck to Cole in his new home, and welcome back to the West!